Don’t Toss the Pumpkin Seeds!

It’s pumpkin carving season! And you know what that means… a great big gooey mess of scooping the insides out of pumpkins. By the time you’re done pulling the last seeds & tiny fibers from the pumpkin, you may be ready to toss it all in the trash. But if you save even a small portion of the seeds inside your soon-to-be-awesome jack-o-lantern, you can create magical snacks your whole family can enjoy!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

This is by far the easiest way to use pumpkin seeds - you only need three ingredients!

Ingredients:

Pumpkin seeds, rinsed & dried

Butter, melted

Salt & pepper to taste

Prepare, Bake, & Enjoy:

1. Heat oven to 350°F

2. Toss seeds in melted butter until coated then spread them on an ungreased cookie sheet & sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste

3. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown, stirring once halfway through

4. Allow seeds to cool at least 10 minutes before serving

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Your family will scream in delight when they snack on this healthy granola recipe! You can certainly change up the berries or chocolate chips to meet your family’s taste buds but don’t increase the amount of pumpkin purée - otherwise, your granola will be mushy.

Pumpkin Loaf or Muffins (pick your poison)

The beauty of using pumpkin seeds in a loaf or muffins is the added fiber & protein you get with each serving. Muffins can be a quick & healthy breakfast option for those mornings when no one seems to want to get out of the house on time. Depending on the pans you use, this recipe can make either a loaf or muffins.